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Everton are reportedly considering an offer for Charlie Austin, which in turn could move Chelsea closer to a reunion with Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian international has bagged 43 goals in 104 Premier League appearances for the Toffees since his move to Goodison Park from Chelsea in 2013.

However, speculation has continued to link him with a return to west London for some time, and it appears as though he could be edging ever closer to a second stint with the Blues.

According to The Sun, Ronald Koeman wants a reunion with Austin after signing him while at Southampton in January, and could look to make his move for him ahead of the deadline.

It’s added in the report that a £65m bid has been placed by Chelsea for Lukaku, but it remains to be seen whether or not their Premier League rivals are willing to discuss a deal for that kind of fee.

Nevertheless, the fact that Everton are supposedly looking at attacking options would suggest that they could be planning for life without their talismanic striker, with the 23-year-old likely to form a crucial part of Antonio Conte’s side if he is to seal a return to Stamford Bridge.

That in turn would come with its own issues though in that he would battle Diego Costa and Michy Batshuayi for a place in the starting line-up, but having starred for Everton for the past three years, there is a general feeling that Lukaku is ready for a bigger stage and would relish the chance to finally make his mark at Chelsea.

It promises to be a summer of change on Merseyside with Koeman rebuilding without John Stones and now possibly Lukaku, while in contrast Conte will look to continue to bolster his squad having already snapped up Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante this summer.